Cats · Product picks
The Best Cat Litter Mats
The Drymate Original Cat Litter Mat is our top pick. See five researched litter mats for fine litter, big boxes and easy cleaning, plus how to choose.
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A good litter mat catches the litter that sticks to your cat’s paws and keeps spills off the floor. For most homes, the Drymate Original Cat Litter Mat is a strong pick. Below are five mats for different boxes and cleaning habits, plus tips on size and texture.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Drymate Original Cat Litter Mat
- Best for fine litter and dust: Catit Litter Mat
- Best simple everyday mat: Petmate Flexible Litter Mat
- Best for big boxes: Petmate Extra Large Litter Catcher Mat
- Best easy-wash mat: Messy Mutts Silicone Cat Litter Mat
The best cat litter mats
Best overallPhoto: DrymateCat litter mats
Drymate Original Cat Litter Mat
Best for: Homes that want floor protection from spills too
Drymate says this mat has an absorbent top that wicks away liquid and a waterproof, slip-resistant bottom. That means it protects the floor from urine and spills, not just scattered litter. You can cut it to fit, and the maker says it’s soft on paws and made in the USA. Skip it if you want a mat you can toss in the dishwasher, since Drymate says to hang it to dry and not to bleach it.
- Pro: Absorbent top layer wicks away liquid
- Pro: Waterproof, slip-resistant backing
- Pro: Can be cut to fit your space
- Con: Fabric top needs shaking out or vacuuming
- Con: Must be hand washed or washed on a gentle cycle, then hung to dry
Best for fine litter and dustPhoto: CatitCat litter mats
Catit Litter Mat
Best for: Cats who track fine litter bits
Catit gives this mat two textures. Pockets catch larger pieces of litter, and a mesh-like surface picks up smaller bits and dust. It has a non-slip surface and comes in two sizes: 15.75 by 23.5 inches for regular boxes and 23.5 by 35.5 inches for jumbo boxes. Skip it if you need to know the exact material or cleaning steps, because the maker’s page doesn’t list them.
- Pro: Pockets catch large pieces, mesh catches small bits and dust
- Pro: Non-slip surface
- Pro: Two sizes to match regular or jumbo boxes
- Con: The maker's page doesn't name the material
- Con: The maker's page gives no cleaning steps
Best simple everyday matPhoto: PetmateCat litter mats
Petmate Flexible Litter Mat
Best for: Single-cat homes with a standard litter box
This is a small rubber mat with a paw design. Petmate says it’s made to stay put outside the litter pan, and you can shake it out, vacuum it or wash it. It weighs under a pound. Skip it if you have a big box or a cat who flings litter far, since it comes in only one size, about 17 by 14 inches.
- Pro: Made to stay in place outside the box
- Pro: Shake, vacuum or wash to clean
- Pro: Light at under one pound
- Con: Only one size, about 17 by 14 inches
- Con: Small for large boxes or cats who fling litter far
Best for big boxesPhoto: PetmateCat litter mats
Petmate Extra Large Litter Catcher Mat
Best for: Jumbo boxes and cats who scatter litter widely
Petmate’s webbed mat measures 47 by 32 inches and has a slightly raised edge to help hold spills in. The backing is rubberized so it stays in place. Petmate says it’s made with PVC and is BPA- and phthalate-free. It suits jumbo boxes and cats who scatter litter widely. Skip it if floor space is tight, since it’s large and weighs about 4.7 pounds.
- Pro: Large 47 by 32 inch surface
- Pro: Slightly raised edge helps contain spills
- Pro: Rubberized backing keeps it in place
- Con: Big and heavy at about 4.7 pounds
- Con: Made with PVC
Best easy-wash matPhoto: Messy MuttsCat litter mats
Silicone Cat Litter Mat
Best for: Owners who want a mat they can rinse or run through the dishwasher
This silicone mat has soft spikes that go from long to short to trap litter. The maker says you can wipe or rinse it with warm, soapy water, or run it through the dishwasher. It’s described as BPA-free and PVC-free. Skip it if you need a bigger mat, since it’s about 18 by 14 inches. The Messy Mutts page we read is for its Canadian store, and some colors may be out of stock.
- Pro: Spikes go from long to short to trap grit
- Pro: Rinse, wipe or dishwasher-clean
- Pro: BPA-free and PVC-free silicone
- Con: Small, about 18 by 14 inches
- Con: Some colors may be out of stock
How to choose a cat litter mat
Pick the right size
Start with your litter box. The ASPCA says a box should be about one and a half times your cat’s length, so bigger boxes and bigger cats call for a bigger mat. Place the mat where your cat steps out, so the paws cross it. If your cat scatters litter far, a larger mat gives it more room to land.
Look at the surface
Mats catch litter in different ways. Ridges, pockets, mesh, webbing and spikes all aim to pull litter out of paw fur. Fine litter and dust can slip through big gaps, so a mat with a finer texture, like Catit’s two-texture design, may help. Choose a surface that feels soft, since your cat has to walk on it every day.
Check the backing
A mat that slides gets pushed out of place. Look for a non-slip or rubberized bottom. If you want protection from urine and spills, Drymate describes a waterproof bottom layer and an absorbent top.
Think about cleaning
Every maker says to shake off or vacuum the litter first. After that, steps differ: some mats can be washed on a gentle cycle, some by hand, and one silicone mat can go in the dishwasher. Pick the one you’ll actually clean. Check the maker’s care notes before washing.
Check the material
Makers use different materials, including fiber with a waterproof backing, rubber, PVC and silicone. Some state they’re free of BPA, PVC or phthalates. If a page doesn’t say what the mat is made of, check the packaging before you buy.
Safety tips
- Watch how your cat reacts. The ASPCA doesn’t mention litter mats. It does say cats may be drawn to soft, absorbent surfaces. If your cat starts peeing on the mat or near the box, call your vet first. The ASPCA says behavior is unlikely to improve until a health problem is ruled out.
- A mat doesn’t replace box care. The ASPCA says to scoop at least once a day and fully clean the box every week with mild, unscented soap or an enzymatic cleaner, and to avoid bleach.
- Keep the box in a good spot. The ASPCA suggests a quiet place away from food, water and noisy appliances.
- Don’t put the mat where it can trip you. Make sure it lies flat. Replace any mat that curls up or gets damaged.
- Check your litter and box too. The ASPCA says most cats prefer unscented, clumping litter with a soft, sandy texture and an uncovered box. If scatter is a big problem, those may be worth a look. See our guide to the best cat litter and self-cleaning litter boxes.
Common questions
Where should a litter mat go?
Put it on the floor right where your cat steps out of the litter box. The mat should reach past the exit so your cat walks across it. Keep the box itself in a quiet spot away from food, water and noisy appliances, as the ASPCA advises.
How often should I clean a litter mat?
Brands say to shake litter off, or vacuum the mat, as a first step. Washing steps differ by product, so follow the care notes from the maker. The ASPCA says to scoop the box itself at least once a day.
Will a litter mat stop my cat from using the box?
The ASPCA does not mention litter mats. It does say cats like soft, absorbent surfaces, so a soft mat near the box could attract a cat to pee on it. If that happens, ask your vet to rule out a health problem first.
What size litter mat do I need?
Pick a mat that fits your box and your space. The ASPCA says a box should be about one and a half times your cat’s length, so a bigger box needs a bigger mat. Catit, for example, sells a regular and a jumbo size.